Official reply:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION 1504/2013
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Date of publication on internal question paper: 14 June 2013
Internal question paper no: 21
1504. Mr M Waters (DA) to ask the Minister of Social Development:
When will the position paper on cannabis be (a) finalised and (b) released?
NW1850E
Reply:
A) Cannabis is a classified drug in terms of Medicines and Related
Substances Control Act, (Act No 101 of 1965), as amended. This drug is
a Schedule 7 drug and it is a dependence-producing substance. Its use
and possession is prohibited in terms of Drugs and Drug Trafficking
Act, (Act No. 140 of 1992), Section 4. Cannabis is currently being
debated internationally on whether it should be legalized or not.
B) The position paper on cannabis was developed and is not yet finalized
and released, due to the fact that it was not evidence-based.
The CDA will work with key stakeholders and research institutions,
including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for
technical expertise in finalizing the Cannabis Position Paper.